[Clinical profile of patients with chronic urticaria in a tertiary care hospital of the social security system in Costa Ricas]. / Perfil clínico de los pacientes con urticaria crónica en un hospital de tercer nivel de atención del sistema de seguridad social de Costa Rica.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the medical and laboratory profile of the patients who have been diagnosed with chronic urticaria in the outpatient clinic of a tertiary care hospital of the social security system in Costa Rica. METHODS: All patients over 13 years of age who had been diagnosed with chronic urticaria between January 1st, 2014, and December 31st, 2018 were included. Variables of medical and laboratory data were statistically analyzed, and the treatment of the patients between their first and last medical consultation was compared. RESULTS: This was about 160 patients who had been diagnosed with chronic urticaria; 129 of them were women, 45.7 % between the ages of 30-49 years; in 17.5 % of them (28 patients), inducible urticaria was associated; 54.8 % (46/84) had positive antithyroperoxidase antibodies; 16.9 % (27 patients) maintained a single dose of second-generation anti-H1 antihistamines in the last consultation; 16.3 % (26 patients) no longer required antihistamine treatment in the last consultation. Cyclosporine was used in 8.8 % (14 patients), and omalizumab was used in 2.5 % (four patients). CONCLUSION: Since this is a real-life study in a geographic region with limited publications on this pathology, we trust that the provided information will contribute to the scientific community in order to improve the quality of life of patients with chronic urticaria through a timely diagnosis and an effective and efficient treatment.

Objetivo: Describir el perfil clínico y de laboratorio de los pacientes diagnosticados con urticaria crónica en la consulta externa de alergología en un hospital de tercer nivel de atención del sistema de seguridad social de Costa Rica. Métodos: Se incluyeron todos los pacientes mayores de 13 años diagnosticados con urticaria crónica entre el 1 de enero de 2014 y el 31 de diciembre de 2018. Se analizaron estadísticamente variables de datos clínicos y de laboratorio y se comparó el tratamiento de los pacientes entre la primera y última consulta. Resultados: Se trató de 160 pacientes con diagnóstico de urticaria crónica: 129 del sexo femenino, 45.7 % con edad entre 30 y 49 años, en 17.5 % (28 pacientes) se asoció urticaria inducible, 54.8 % (46/84) presentó anticuerpo antitiroperoxidasa positivo, 16.9 % (27 pacientes) se mantuvo en la última consulta con una dosis de antihistamínicos anti-H1 de segunda generación; 16.3 % (26 pacientes) ya no requería tratamiento antihistamínico en la última consulta. En 8.8 % de los casos (14 pacientes) se utilizó ciclosporina y en 2.5 % (cuatro pacientes), omalizumab. Conclusión: Al tratase de un estudio de vida real en una región geográfica con limitadas publicaciones sobre esta patología, confiamos que la información provista contribuya a la comunidad científica a mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes con urticaria crónica mediante un diagnóstico oportuno y un tratamiento eficaz y efectivo.

Contact dermatitis: Clinical practice findings from a single tertiary referral hospital, a 4-Year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: It is estimated that 20% of the general population is sensitized to some kind of contact allergen. Contact dermatitis is one of the major occupational diseases worldwide. This disease has a higher prevalence in the female gender and is more frequently observed in the third or fourth decade of life. The main objective of this study was to describe the main sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with contact dermatitis treated in the Allergy Unit of the San Juan De Dios Hospital - Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social. METHODS: Clinical records of contact dermatitis outpatients from a single hospital were analyzed, in a 4-year retrospective observational study. RESULTS: At the time of the patch testing, patients showed a mean age of 42.2 years. Disease frequency was higher in the female population (female/male ratio of 4.2:1) and in patients mostly dedicated to household workchores. Most patients presented several years of disease history, and the hands were the highest affected body part. Patch testing revealed that nickel sulfate, Cl+Me-Isothiazolinone (Kathon CG), and thimerosal were allergens regularly associated with contact dermatitis in the analyzed population. CONCLUSIONS: To a great extent, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics identified in these patients resemble what is reported in other regions, including the Americas and worldwide. It is worth highlighting a high female proportion rate probably related to cultural aspects, a smaller percentage of irritant contact dermatitis that may be associated to institutional patient management, and a slight difference in the most common allergens when compared to other published studies.